Pono Pod - Teddy Bears Picnic - Tuesday 12th December, 11.40am

Winners of our Ag Day Art Competition

Thank you for all the entries into our Ag Day Art Competition. We have some awesome creativity at Whakarongo School. The attached slideshow announces our winners and their entries. Congratulations to all.

Tern 4 Information (and issues with email)

Good Evening Whanau,

We are very excited to see all the children back after the holidays. We trust you have all had a safe and relaxing time.

This term is jammed packed with fun activities and learning, not to mention Ag Day, Athletics Day, Prize-giving and End of Year reports.

Please take the time to read this terms newsletter, which has also been uploaded to Seesaw, as it has lots of important information and dates that you will need to take note of.

Also, if you have not seen it on Seesaw already please take note of the following Ag Day notice.

Until Monday, we hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend.

*We sent this information out earlier via email, but have been having some issues with some emails being blocked.  Our apologies for this. 

Last chance to order your DVD!!

Winter House Sports - Postponed

Winter house sports that was due to be held on Wednesday 27th September, will now be postponed until week 1 of term 4.  This is due to the weather, and the field being too wet.
Please come to school in school uniform as usual.

Parent, Teacher and Student Interviews

Morena whanau!

What a wonderful evening last night... we are all extremely proud of our tamariki - they looked stunning in our production movie!  (DVD release to come in the following weeks)... watch this space.....

On another note, our student-led conferences are on next week.  Thanks to everyone who has already booked their time.  If you haven't yet, please approach your child's homeroom teacher if you are unsure what to do.  To the five new children who have just started in Pono Pod, you will not need to book a time, but are welcome to discuss anything with us as you need.

Just to clarify - students are welcome at these interviews.  We are completing goal sheets with them this week and they will have a piece of work to share with you all.  This is an opportunity to celebrate their learning and discuss next steps with you.  If you have any additional concerns that you would prefer to discuss without your child, please contact your child's homeroom teacher to arrange an additional time.

If you have any additional queries please feel to email us.

Thanks everyone,

Pono Pod teachers

Lost Property: due to production last week we appear to have a few lost items. Could we ask you to have a look out for a thermal/singlet, a pair of girl shoes and also a named jersey which belongs to Jimmy Linklater.

Assembly: this week Pono Pod will be hosting our school assembly. It would be great to see you there supporting your child. It will be starting at 2:15pm on Friday.

Thank you so much

Welcome Back to Term 3!

Please have a look through our Term 3 newsletter to make yourself familiar with what is happening this term :)

Welcome Back to Term 3

Any Library Books?? And some Library News!

Calling All Library Books!!

Please have a search at home and check to see if you have any Whakarongo School Library books. 

We are in the process of changing our Library system - so all books need to be returned ASAP. 

There will be no issues of books for Week 10 - this week!

The Library is likely to be closed to all Pods and at lunchtimes during the first week of Term 3.   

We will be checking the system is up and running and training up relevant staff and Librarians. 

Please remember, every student is signed up to our eBooks so this is a great way to keep on reading. 

Also with holidays coming up, visit the Palmerston North City Library - they always have lots of exciting things on the go!

Value Certificate Winners - Week 9

Congratulations to Charlie, Cody and Katya for showing the Whakarongo Kid value of Acceptance.
Keep up the great attitude in your learning.  Tino pai.

Learning Celebration - Thursday 29th June 2-4pm

Our Learning Celebrations are happening this Thursday from 2pm - 4pm.

This is an opportunity for you to celebrate your childs' learning with them.  

In Pono Pod, the children will share their learning with you in Homerooms 2 and 3.   

We look forward to seeing you there. 

Mathletics Password

Kia Ora Whanau 

Thanks to those who have informed us of having difficulty signing into Mathletics.

Please note the password is 'pono'. 

Quick and easy for the kids.

Sunshine Classic is pono2017 for both the username and password.

Values Certificate Winners for Week 8!

Congratulations to Ava, Ashlee and Victoria who were awarded our values certificates for the week. These girls have been displaying acceptance by showing kindness to others. Ka Pai :)

Movie Night Is Here - Thursday 22nd June

Let's Go To The Movies!!!

Whakarongo School Movie Night is here...

Cross Country Winners!

Congratulations to Connor, Reinhardt and Ava who all got a placing in the year 0/1 cross country races. 

Connor - 1st Place Year 0/1 Boys

Reinhardt - 2nd Place Year 0/1 Boys

Ava - 2nd Place Year 0/1 Girls

A big congratulations also to everybody who participated in our cross country. It was great to see everyone giving it a go, having fun and running with smiles on their faces! :)

Values Certificate Winners Week 7

Congratulations to Katelyn, Olivia and Danara who were our certificate winners this week. They have all been displaying collaboration in their learning by sharing their own ideas, listening to others and always being helpful. Ka Pai!

Week 7 - Cross Country and Disco!

A BIG congratulations to all children for their amazing effort at the School Cross Country held on Friday.   Was so good to see everyone get in and give it there best - and what a beautiful day it was too.  

DISCO TIME

This Friday it is time for Whakarongo School to show their best dance moves.  See information below, or feel free to talk to any of the teachers for more information.  Junior disco time is 6-7pm. 

CROSS COUNTRY

How Exciting!!!   

Whakarongo School Cross Country Event - is coming up this Friday 9th June. 

We are holding this at Ashhurst Domain.  Please see the information below, and if you require any further details, feel free to talk to Pono Pod Teachers. 

Value Certificate Winners

A big CONGRATULATIONS to Gwen, Isaac and Fionn for earning the certificates in Pono Pod on Week 4.  You were displaying the Whakarongo Kid Value of Honesty.  Tino pai!

Monday's STEM Problem

On Monday's we get given a problem. We have to use our problem solving skills, collaboration skills and our knowledge of measurement, geometry, statistics and number to solve the problem. 

Today we were given a piece of paper to figure out how we could make the longest paper chain. We then put them in order from longest to shortest, counted how many loops our chains had, and talked about the oval shape we had to make. 

Check out this video to see us working together to solve the problem!

Anti-Bullying Week

This week is anti-bullying week. Yesterday we learnt about how our words can affect people's feelings. Have a look at some of the stories we wrote about this. 

Welcome to Mr Koch

Pono Pod welcome Mr Koch.   He is a student teacher from Massey University and will be with Pono Pod for 5 weeks.   We look forward to having Mr Koch join us.

Values Certificate Winners!

Congratulations to Amariah, Samarah and Amelia for being awarded with our values certificates for the week. They have been displaying Honesty by always putting their best effort into their learning. Ka Pai :)

Monday's Challenge!

On Monday we had a challenge to create a house that would survive the Big Bad Wolf's big Huff and Puff! We worked with a buddy to build a house. We had to figure out what resources were strong enough and the right shape. We even discovered that we needed to have four walls otherwise it wouldn't stand! Some of our houses fell down, but we learn from this and we are now trying to figure out how we could change it so it stays standing. Have a look at this video to see if our houses survived the Big Bad Wolf. 

Book Character Dress Up Day

Pono Pod had fun with the Book Character Dress Up day held at school on Friday.   See the photos below of each Homeroom (and the Teachers).  What a wonderful mix of creativity came from this.   Thank you to all who supported this and our book fair week.

Value Certificate Winners for Week 2

Millie, Cody G and Noah have been showing Honesty in their learning in the Pono Pod.   This is one of the values that demonstrates what it takes to be a Whakarongo Kid.   Tino pai to you all.

Gymnastics Session

For the first four weeks of Term 2, each Monday, Pono Pod go to Gymnastic sessions in the hall.  

This has been a very enjoyable experience for the children as they use a variety of equipment, and learn how move their body to more effectively perform a movement.  

Value Certificates - Week 1, Term 2

Congratulations to Micah, Jessica and Kaleb for displaying Honesty in their learning, displaying characteristics of being a Whakarongo Kid.  Tino pai.

Mathletics Update

Hi Pono Whanau

We have made a slight change with your child's Mathletics Log in. To help them log in independently we have made everyones password pono. They still have their own personal Username which was given to them at the start of the year. New children to the pod will be given their Login details shortly.

Mathletics have been upgrading their site and has become a lot more user friendly. It will be great to get your feedback on how you  and your child find it.

Any questions, please feel free to come and see us or email us.

Cross Country

Cross Country practice has been changed from Wednesday to Thursday afternoons to fit better with our library session. 

Children are expected to bring a pair of sneakers to run in. A spare pair of shorts is also a good idea.

Welcome Back to Term 2

We have a very busy and exciting term ahead. Our Newsletter has just been emailed out to parents/caregivers from the email addresses supplied. If you haven't received it, please contact one of the teachers and we will sort this for you. The Newsletter is also attached on this blog, under the 'Newsletters and Notices' tab.

A visit from Carpenters Dentist - Demi and Rebecca

Deputy Principal Award

Congratulations to Grace who was chosen to take her writing over to Mrs Jeffery. Grace has been showing independence in her writing and has progressed hugely this term with using her imagination and adjectives in her stories. Ka Pai Grace :)

Values Certificates Week 10!

Congratulations to our certificate winners for this week! George, Isla and Christo have been displaying respect by being kind and helpful towards others. Ka Pai :)

Awesome Reading from the Nemo Reading Group!

Listen to George and Cody J as they tackle reading 'My Poor Sore Paw'. They did a great job of adding expression and rereading of the text. Ka Pai guys! 

Sunshine Online and Mathletics

Hi everyone! 

As mentioned during this week's Parent/Teacher Interviews we have two digital programmes which the children use during their school day and can be used at home as well.

These are: Mathletics and Sunshine Online

The children have their own individual log ins for Mathletics which are on their Homework Keyrings and for Sunshine Online, username & password - pono2017 . Please help them to choose a text suitable to their level or begin at the start and work through, helping to build their confidence as they go.

If you have any questions or issues with using these PLEASE let us know.

QR Code links have been added to the Music and Educational Videos and Links Page as well for further reference.

Value Certificate Winners - Week 9 - RESPECT

Congratulations to Tyla, Hazel and Nikki for showing Respect in the Pod by respecting themselves, others and equipment.  Tino pai!

Our Cloud Watching Stories

This week some of us went outside and used our imagination to create stories about what we could see in the clouds. 

We have been learning to use the thinking hats to organise all of our exciting ideas. We first use the white hat to write about what happened or what we saw. Next we use the red hat to write about how we felt. Lastly, we use the green hat to add some more information and WOW words to our story. 

Have a listen to the stories our wonderful authors have created!

Sight Word of the Day

Today we were building the word 'you' in creative ways. Have a look at how creative Ruby and Victoria were with collaboratively creating the word!

Sharing about the Tryathlon

A few children in the Pod have been talking about the Tryathlon they competed in.  Today Issy shared her enjoyment and medal with the Pod.  Well done to all who competed.

School Interviews

Just a reminder, that school interviews are being held next week - Week 10.

Gala Craft

Gala is only 3 sleeps away!!

We are all getting very excited and looking forward to a fun filled day.

HUGE shout out to our fabulous PTA and all those who have helped support them as they prepare to hold Whakarongo School biggest event.

To help support our wonderful PTA raise funds for our children and their school, Pono Pod children have been busy creating crafts for you to buy.

These will be available on the day and will be reserved for caregivers to purchase from 10-11am on the day (Sunday). The crafts will be in Tautoko Pod in Rooms 23 & 24.

We would also like to thank Mike Davies for helping us with drilling the holes!

Mathletics

Tuesday (21st March)sees the introduction of Mathletics into Pono Pod. The children have personalised programmes which will have them working on areas of focus. 

Although they are using Mathletics during Pod time, we do encourage them to be using it at home as well. It can be used on most devices. If they get stuck on their task the programme has an awesome help feature. We do ask that it is their work and no-one else's as we track their progress throughout the term and will make changes where required so it is closely suited to their areas of learning. 

Each child has been given a Username and Password - these can be found on your child's homework keyring. You can click on the following link to for Student Sign In. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to come in and see us or send us an email.

Hopefully your child will come home and share what they are doing and how they can use it. They may need a little help while they become familiar with it but will be experts in no time.

Value Certificate Winners - Week 7

A big congratulations to our value certificate winners for week 7. It is fantastic to see you showing perseverance within the Pod. Tino pai to Liam, Levi and Ruby.

Week 7 - All about how Magnets Repel and Attract

Last week Issy asked a question...why does the purple side of the magnet only stick to the yellow side of another magnet and not the purple side? This week we decided to investigate her question. On Monday we learnt that same sides REPEL and opposite sides ATTRACT. We put magnets into little cars and tried to make the car move by using the magnetic force instead of our hands. We had so much fun and even went outside to race our cars!

On Friday we made a magnetic fishing rod and went fishing! We had to put a paperclip on our fish so that the magnet would attract it. We discovered that the magnet will always attract metal no matter what side it is. The sides only make a difference when it is one magnet trying to connect to another magnet. 

How Do Magnets Repel and Attract?

This week Pono Pod has been learning about how magnets interact with each other. We discovered that they only ATTRACT and join together on opposite sides (yellow side attracts purple side). If we tried to join the same sides together (yellow side to yellow side) they would move apart and REPEL! 

We began using our hands to explain this - a clap for attract, and moving our hands apart for repel....but Hazel had a very good point! If our hands were magnets, a clap would actually repel because they are the same sides (palm to palm)! So we need to turn one hand so that our palm claps the top of our other hand to show ATTRACT. 

Check out this video of Hazel explaining her discovery!

IMPORTANT - GALA

It is hard to believe it is almost Week 8!! Pono Pod are busy working on their Gala art - they are all getting very excited and looking forward to sharing with you what they are creating. Remember your child's art will be available to purchase on the day. All profits go towards the PTA's fundraising.

To make this day a success for our kids the PTA are still in need of helpers, it is a great day and anything you could offer would be gratefully appreciated. Please see the note below from the PTA.

The Gala is fast approaching and we still need some parent helpers. If you could provide an hour or two to help on the gala day, or help with setting up on the Saturday we would really appreciate it. 

If you can help, please contact Kate on 021 167 5009 or pta@whakarongo.school.nz

Thanks Pono Pod Whanau - let's make this a GREAT day!!

Calling all Recycling!

In Pono Pod we love to create and construct with recycled resources. We have a problem! Our supplies of cardboard and plastic are running low! We would really appreciate it if you could save your recycling and bring it into school for us to use. Any cardboard or plastic you have would be really appreciated! Thank you :)

How strong is a magnet?

Last week Pono Pod investigated into how strong some of our magnets are. 

On Monday we tinkered with two different magnets (a small magnet wand and a large magnet horseshoe), paper clips, and materials such as cardboard, plastic, and water. We wanted to see which magnet was stronger and if the force was strong enough to go through these materials. 

On Friday we used our learning to create our own maze and guide a paper clip through it with the magnet! This was challenging but we collaborated in our groups and problem-solved together to create our own maze. 

So what have we discovered so far? 

* Magnets attract metal and their force can go through other materials. 

* The stronger the magnet is, the thicker the material can be and still let the force go through it. 

I wonder what we will discover next week...

Aspiring Authors

In Ms H's writing group we have been explaining what we see in a picture, what we think might be happening and our feelings about it. Here are two amazing examples for you to listen to.

                                

Pono Pod Swimming Celebration - Sorry, Now Cancelled!!

Parents and Caregivers of children in the Pono Pod are invited to come along and see their child in the pool on Tuesday 21st March from 2pm.   There will be some races and fun, as the children demonstrate their confidence in the water.   
This celebration will be weather permitting, and there is no postponement date - so keep doing a sun-dance to keep away the rain!